‘Destroyer of economy’: PM calls out Imran for non-appearance before courts

Ex-PM is doing to courts what he did to global lenders, friendly countries, Constitution, institutions, says premier

ISLAMABAD:

In a scathing statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised former premier and PTI chief Imran Khan for his non-appearance before the courts. The premier labeled Imran as a "destroyer of the economy" and accused him of conspiring to stop the economic recovery through political instability.

Shehbaz commented on the continuous non-appearance of Imran in the Toshakhana case, saying that he was doing to the courts what he did to national interests, global lenders, friendly countries, the Constitution, parliament, institutions, media, among others. He further stated that Imran was not showing up even when he was summoned by the court.

The premier also accused the deposed prime minister of doing to the court what he did to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Sharif's government has been alleging that the Imran-led government deviated from the IMF programme's conditions, resulting in its suspension and a severe financial crunch for the country.

Read more: Toshakhana case: IHC suspends Imran Khan's arrest warrants until March 13

Shehbaz maintained that Imran was doing to the court what he did to national interests and friendly countries of Pakistan. He accused Imran of having an inappropriate attitude and approach towards friendly countries and their heads, but did not provide any specific details about his conduct.

Lastly, he accused the PTI chief of doing to the court what he did to the public in the shape of inflation.

The premier's statement comes on the heels of an order by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspending non-bailable arrest warrants against Imran in the Toshakhana case until March 13. The court directed him to appear before the sessions court on March 13, warning that he may be declared an absconder if he does not comply.